Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Jean Dandridge (November 9, 1922 – September 8, 1965) was an African American singer and actress. In 1955, she became the first black actress to be nominated for an Academy Award.[3] The nomination was for Best Actress. She starred in many movies.

Dorothy Dandridge
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Dandridge in movie trailer for The Decks Ran Red (1958).
Born
Dorothy Jean Dandridge

(1922-11-09)November 9, 1922
DiedSeptember 8, 1965(1965-09-08) (aged 42)
Cause of deathEmbolism[1] or Overdose[2]
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park
(Glendale, California)
Other namesDorothy Dandridge-Nicholas
Dorothy Nicholas
Dorothy Dandridge-Denison
Dorothy Denison
OccupationActress, Singer, Dancer
Years active1933–65
Spouse(s)
Harold Nicholas
(m. 1942; div. 1951)

Jack Denison
(m. 1959; div. 1962)
ChildrenHarolyn Suzanne Nicholas (b.1943; d.2003)
Parent(s)Ruby Dandridge
Cyril Dandridge
FamilyVivian Dandridge (sister)
Nayo Wallace (great-niece)

Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio.[4] She died of a drug overdose in Los Angeles, California.[5]

References

  1. Robinson, Louie (March 1966). Dorothy Dandridge Hollywood's Tragic Enigma. Ebony. pp. 71. https://books.google.com/books?id=IjAJ7Wl1voUC&pg=PA70&#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 2012-09-10. 
  2. Gorney, Cynthia (February 9, 1988). The Fragile Flame of Dorothy Dandridge; Remembering the Shattered Life Of a Beautiful 1950s Movie Star. pp. E2. 
  3. Earl Mills, Dorothy Dandridge: An Intimate Biography (Los Angeles: Holloway House, 1999), p. 13
  4. Louie Robinson, 'Dorthy Dandridge; Hollywood's Tragic Enigma', Ebony Magazine, Vol XXI, No. 5 (March 1966), p. 74
  5. Earl Mills, Dorothy Dandridge: An Intimate Biography (Los Angeles: Holloway House, 1999), p. 199